Joe Hockey in court over Fairfax defamation claim

• published: 09 Mar 2015
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‘My father broke down in tears’: Joe Hockey tells defamation hearing his family was ‘devastated’ by ‘Treasurer for Sale’ newspaper report Joe Hockey has testified as part of defamation suit against Fairfax media He appeared at the Federal Court on Monday and claimed that the article caused his family great distress, even making his elderly father cry The court action centres on stories run by Fairfax Media under the headline 'Treasurer for sale' Mr Hockey claims that there was a 'clear allegation of corruption' within the North Sydney Forum, a political fundraising party in his electorate By Lucy Thackray for Daily Mail Australia and Aap Published: 08:31 GMT, 9 March 2015 | Updated: 12:26 GMT, 9 March 2015 1 View comments Joe Hockey claims an article caused his family great distress, describing the moment his 'elderly and frail' father broke down in tears whilst speaking at a court appearance. The Liberal Politician told the Federal Court that he was 'devastated' when he saw the headline 'Treasurer for Sale' splashed across the front page of a major Fairfax newspaper. He said the headlines had caused his own family - including his elderly father - to question him. 'I was most concerned for my wife, and my children, and for my father,' he told the court, glancing out to the body of the courtroom, where his wife Melissa Babbage sat staring straight ahead, her heels crossed. 'A few days later my daughter asked me whether someone was trying to buy me,' Mr Hockey said. Scroll down for video Australian Treasurer Joe Hockey (right) arrives at Federal Court with his wife Melissa Babbage (left) to give evidence in his defamation case against Fairfax Media +7 Australian Treasurer Joe Hockey (right) arrives at Federal Court with his wife Melissa Babbage (left) to give evidence in his defamation case against Fairfax Media Sydney Morning Herald Editor in Chief Darren Goodsir outside the Federal Court at Joe Hockey's defamation case against Fairfax Media +7 Sydney Morning Herald Editor in Chief Darren Goodsir outside the Federal Court at Joe Hockey's defamation case against Fairfax Media Joe Hockey, pictured with his family, claimed his young daughter asked him 'whether someone was trying to buy me' +7 Joe Hockey, pictured with his family, claimed his young daughter asked him 'whether someone was trying to buy me' Joe Hockey in court over Fairfax defamation claim 'The only thing you walk out of politics with is your reputation,' he continued. 'If, in the eyes of your own family, as there was in the phone call with my father, there's a doubt - a brief doubt - then what have you got?' 'He broke down in tears when I called him,' Mr Hockey claimed. Mr Hockey entered the witness box in Sydney on Monday afternoon to testify in his high-profile defamation suit against the publishing giant. The court action centres on stories run in Fairfax Media's flagship newspapers The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age last year under the headline 'Treasurer for Sale'. The Canberra Times used another headline. The stories examined a political fundraising body in Mr Hockey's electorate known as the North Sydney Forum, where members who paid an annual fee were able to meet with the treasurer at special events. Joe Hockey, pictured with his wife Melissa Babbage, revealed the distress an article caused his family whilst appearing in court on Monday +7 Joe Hockey, pictured with his wife Melissa Babbage, revealed the distress an article caused his family whilst appearing in court on Monday Mr Hockey has told the court he first became aware of the articles when he received a phone call from his press secretary shortly after midnight on May 5, 2014. When he awoke a few hours later he headed straight for his local newsagency in Canberra. 'I saw the front pages, I was stunned. And Matt the newsagent said, 'What's all this about?' I just shook my head,' Mr Hockey said. 'I went across to the bakery for one of their very ordinary cups of coffee and looked around, and the papers were everywhere.' Under questioning by his barrister Bruce McClintock SC, Mr Hockey said he felt 'absolutely devastated' at the suggestion he was corrupt. Earlier on Monday Mr Hockey's lawyers alleged that Fairfax published 'scurrilous and false allegations' against the treasurer in an act of petty spite. Mr Hockey's lawyers alleged that Fairfax published 'scurrilous and